Q: When I plugged my cell phone charger into a kitchen outlet, my phone didn’t start charging as it normally does—rather, it seemed that this one electrical outlet was not working. Is there something ...

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In ...

Swapping a tired outlet for a modern one looks like the definition of minor home maintenance, the kind of task you handle between errands without a second thought. Yet that simple change can quietly ...

And you can do it safely, in under an hour, and for less than $50. Credit... Supported by By Tim Heffernan Visuals by Clark Hodgin After 16 months, my home renovation is nearing a happy milestone: ...

Most electrical outlets are installed vertically, with one receptacle oriented above the other. But if you take a close look around your house, you'll probably find at least a couple mounted ...

Aging electrical systems rarely fail all at once. They telegraph trouble in small, specific ways that trained eyes pick up long before a breaker trips or a wall feels warm. When an inspector walks ...

One of the often-ignored pieces of modern technology is powered receptacles (outlets), which are used daily to run a variety of devices and appliances. Electrical plug types come in a wide range of ...